Frequently Asked Questions
We have compiled answers to some of the most common questions we receive from our clients as well as anything we thought may be useful to ensure you get the most out of your retreat.
Where are we?
The village of Tamraght is situated between the first Atlas mountains and the Atlantic Ocean, 12 Km north of Agadir and 2 Km far from Taghazout.
Directions
- 12 Km N of Agadir
- 145 Km S of Essaouira
- 300 Km W of Marrakech
How can I pay?
Payment can be done in Moroccan dirhams or euros.
Visa
EU, US, Australian and New Zealand passport holders with a passport that is valid for at least 6 months beyond your return date do not require a visa to enter Morocco for tourist purposes. If you hold a passport from another country, check https://moroccanconsulate.com/visa.cfm
Usually you will be given a landing card on the plane. You will need to fill out this form with basic information such as your name, birth date, occupation and passport details. For your address in Morocco, please write Marocsurfcamp, Tamraght. You’ll need to complete one of these when you leave the country too.
How do I get there?
Morocco is served by direct flights from the UK and other major European airports, with flight times to Agadir between 2 / 4 hours. Guests travelling from the US can connect either in Casablanca or at a European airport as there are no direct flights to Agadir.
We are based in Tamraght one of the famous little surfing villages inbetween Taghazout and Aourir. From Agadir airport it’s a 45 minute drive along the coastal road. There are taxis at the airport for 300 dirhams, but you can also arrange a pick-up from us.
Flights to Agadir
Flights leave the UK from London Gatwick (LGW), London Heathrow (LHR) and Manchester (MAN). From the UK: Easyjet / Monarch / Ryanair / Thomsonfly / Flythomascook / Royal Air Maroc.
You can also get direct flights from Amsterdam, Dublin, Paris and many German cities.
- Belgium (Brussels): Ryanair
- France (Paris): Transavia / Jet4You / EasyJet
- Germany (Several Cities): TUI / Condor / AirBerlin
- Ireland (Dublin): Aer Lingus
- Netherlands (Amsterdam): TUI / Transavia
Transfers from Marrakech usually take 3-4 hours and cost approx. 120 EUR for 1-4 people. Or else you can take a bus; we recommend either CTM or Supratours.
Flights to Marrakech
Ryanair / Easyjet / Thomsonfly / Royal Air Maroc / BA
Money / Currency / ATM
The Moroccan currency is the Dirham.
Exchange rates at last time of checking were around:
- 1 EUR ≈ 11 Dirham
- 1 GBP ≈ 13 Dirham
- 1 USD ≈ 8 Dirham
It is normally quite difficult to buy the Dirham before entering the country and in any case, the exchange rate is better if you wait until you arrive in Morocco.
There are exchange facilities and ATMs in the airport. There are also plenty of ATMs in Agadir. There are no ATMs in Taghazout or Tamraght, the nearest is Aourir (Banana Village), a five-minute drive from Tamraght. This machine – and many other ATMs in Morocco – does not accept Maestro.
Visa is widely accepted.
Remember to bring the phone number of your bank in case your bank places a security hold on your card.
Your ATM daily withdrawal limit is also in effect here, and you may not be able to withdraw large sums of money in one day.
Traveller’s cheques cannot be exchanged at the airport or locally. If you do find somewhere that will accept them, the exchange rate is likely to be disadvantageous.
What to bring
We supply towels for your bathroom, but not for the beach, so please bring your own beach towel. The following items may seem obvious but if you are thinking to get any of these items once you get here you may want to consider that the choice will be very limited and the price will be higher:
- Swimsuit
- Sunscreen
- Sunglasses
- Flipflops
- Plug adaptors (Morocco is on 220 volts with European two-pin round plugs)
Some handy suggestions: beach bag, plastic bag (for transporting your wet wetsuit), something warm to wear at night, pen (for arrival/departure form at passport control).
If you’re bringing your surfboard, take your fins off the board and don’t forget the fins, fin screws, fin key, leash and some wax.
How do I call Morocco?
The international country code for Morocco is +212. If calling from outside the country, you will need to dial your international operator code (+ on a mobile, or 00 for Europe, and 011 for the US and Canada) then the number. If you see a Moroccan phone number listed without 212 preceding it, you will need to add it. If calling locally, drop the 212 and add a 0 before the number.
Can I use my phone? Is there internet?
Nearly all European networks work in Morocco. Contact your network for call charges. Coverage is good, with reception on all the beaches. You can find public phones (coin and cards) in Taghazout and Tamraght. International call charges are relatively cheap. There is free wifi available at our surf camp. There are also cafés with free wifi in the area.
Jabs and vaccines?
No vaccinations are required for visitors to Morocco. We have first aid equipment along with staff trained in administering first aid. In case of an emergency, there are hospitals and clinics in Agadir. Medical charges will apply according to the treatment received so make sure you have travel insurance before you arrive. Pharmacies in Morocco are plentiful and carry pretty much anything you might need, with lots of medications available without a doctor’s prescription.
Yoga
No you don't need any prior experience to practice yoga. Our teacher is very familiar with having complete beginners in the same class as advanced yogis. Each student will be able to practice to their own ability.
You are welcome to bring your own mat, but the shala is fully equipped with mats, bricks, belts, bolsters, blankets and eye pillows.
Are there any extra costs?
Drinking water bottles of water are provided in lunch and dinner, out of the meals you can buy your own water in case you need it.
Laundry – We can do your laundry for 50 dh
Excursions – Excursions are available to Paradise Valley, Souk of Agadir and Essaouira, contact us for more info
Thai Yoga massage – 350 dh (35 EUR) 1 hour massage
Can I bring my children?
Children of all ages are welcome and childcare can be arranged.
What is the surf and the weather like? When is the best time to visit?
Morocco is a year-round destination for great surf and great weather.
Morocco is blessed with over 300 days of sunshine a year. Between the months November to February there is a small chance of rain, although statistically it is unlikely. The summer months (April – October) are full of sunny days, and see small to medium swells.
| Months | Swell | Air Temp. | Sea Temp. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep. / Nov. | 4 / 8 ft | 25° C / 30° C | 18° C / 21° C |
| Dec. / Feb. | 4 / 15 ft | 18° C / 26° C | 16° C / 20° C |
| Mar. / May. | 4 / 6 ft | 20° C / 30° C | 18° C / 20° C |
| Jun. / Aug. | 2 / 4 ft | 25° C / 30° C | + 21° C |
Your choice of wetsuit comes down to personal choice and tolerance, but generally you should bring a 3/2mm full suit, and when it gets too hot, just go in the water as you are. All our surf school wetsuits are 3/2 full suits.
Of course, visit magicseaweed.com for daily weather and swell forecasts.
What amenities are there locally?
There are plenty of small corner shops selling water, soda, crisps, fruit, vegetables and other essentials. For cigarettes, you must go to a Tabac. There are well stocked pharmacies and surf shops. Alcohol can be bought only in Agadir.
How should I dress?
Morocco is a liberal Muslim country, and men and women are welcome to wear shorts and t-shirts. Swimsuits and bikinis are expected on the beach, but nudity is not (please be discreet when changing). It can get chilly at night, and trousers and jumpers are needed particularly in mid-winter, so make sure you bring some warm clothes too.
Water
Tap water is fine for washing and brushing teeth, but we do not recommend that you drink large quantities. Bottled mineral water is cheap (5 dirhams) and available everywhere. Sometimes visitors suffer stomach upsets, but this often passes quickly (usually within 24 hours), so give yourself a break, drink plenty of water, and stay near a bathroom, if you can.
Do you cater for special diets?
Let us know in advance if you have any special requirements, and we’ll do our best to make sure we have what you need. Any vegetarians need to tell us if they also exclude dairy (milk and cheese) or eggs from their diets. This being Morocco, not all specialized food alternatives are available.
What about alcoholic drinks?
Although Islam forbids the consumption of alcohol by Muslims, and alcohol cannot be sold or served in the towns, it can be bought in Agadir. Popular places to buy alcohol in Agadir are Marjane and Uniprix. Some types of alcohol and imports can be expensive, so it may serve you well to get Duty Free on your way here.
What is a hammam?
The Moroccan hammam is the local bathhouse, where people of all ages go to get a steam and a good scrub (men and women have separate facilities).